The Emporia Public Library is celebrating its 150th birthday in 2019.

A century and a half is a long time to be alive and, as such, the library is steeped in history. It plays a major role in Emporia’s past, present and future.

According to Lyon County History Center Curator Lisa Soller, though the library has changed over the years and its role is different than it was 150 years ago, it has always been an important community hub.

“It was access to learning,” she said.

(Read more: Emporia Gazette)

After a lifetime of preparation, K9 Gilo (pronounced with a hard “g”) is ready to get to work as the newest member of the Greenwood County Sheriff’s Office.

The 2-year-old Dutch Shepherd-Belgian Malinois mix dog and his handler, Deputy Mike Baumgardner, have completed obedience training and are actively patrolling the county.

The name “Gilo” has a special meaning to Baumgardner.

“My best friend in the Marine Corps was Carlos Gil Orozco, ‘Gilo’ for short,” he said. “He was killed in Iraq, and I named the dog in honor of him.”

(Read more: Emporia Gazette)

Emporia Public Schools held its first in a series of town hall meetings Thursday on the subject of an upcoming bond election.

The district has been promoting the idea of a $78 million bond in hopes the public will vote in its favor.

Members of the public attended and participated in a discussion where they had a chance to ask questions of district officials.

Emporia Marc Fusaro, who serves as Associate Dean of Emporia State University’s School of Business, wanted to learn more about the scope of the project.

(Read more: Emporia Gazette)